Like every year, 2014 will see Spetses, mainly, as well as Porto Heli, hosting during the second Saturday of September, their greatest festival, Armata. The festivities of course will go on all week, culminating in the reenactment of the naval battle between the Greeks and the Turks in 1822. This impressive reenactment includes many ships, fireworks, controlled explosions and fires. If you wish to watch it, you’ll either stand on the coasts of Spetses or you can board a boat from Spetses or Porto Heli and watch the naval battle from the sea to enjoy a unique spectacle. This reenactment is a tribute to the naval battle that took place on September 8, 1822, when the Turks wanted to destroy Hydra and Spetses in order to lead the Greek forces away from the Turkish-held besieged Palamidi at Nafplio. The Greeks were outnumbered, but they managed heroically to set fire on the Turkish flagship, which led the opposing navy to flee. In the modern era, these fighters are remembered every year, so the newer generations can learn about the sacrifices of their ancestors. Besides the naval battle, the festivities of the week include concerts, plays, traditional dances and other similar cultural events. If you ever find yourselves at Saronikos bay or Porto Heli during the first half of September, then Armata is a festival that shouldn’t be missed. Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Hinitsa Bay
